Magnet and Glue Turn Tongue into Joystick
From: New Scientist - 06/29/2009
By; Tom Simonite

Georgia Tech University professors Maysam Ghovanloo and Xueliang Huo have
developed a headset that enables a person to precisely control a wheelchair
or computer using only their tongue. The system uses two sensors, embedded in
a wireless headset, to track a small magnet attached to the tip of the user's
tongue. The sensors read fluctuations in the strength of the magnetic field
as the tongue moves and transmits the signals to a computer. The system is
already being used in trials with spinal injury patients, and could
eventually be used to give astronauts and others a third hand in difficult
situations. Ghovanloo says there are 250,000 people with spinal cord injuries
in the US, and more than half of them need an alternative way of interacting
with the world due to spinal damage that prevents or restricts the use of
their arms and hands. Currently available systems often use the "sip and
puff" method, which involves blowing or sucking on a straw held in front of
the mouth, or extended headrests that have embedded buttons that can be
operated using subtle head movements. However, Ghovanloo says the
tongue-driven system can accept a wider variety of commands, is less
conspicuous and very precise, and is not as tiring to use. For the trials,
the magnet was attached to the user's tongue using a surgical adhesive, but
Ghovanloo has had magnetic tongue piercings made that may appeal more to
long-term users. 

The latest prototype was presented last week at the Rehabilitation
Engineering and Assistive Technology annual meeting in New Orleans. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17391-magnet-and-sticky-tape-turn-tongue-into-joystick.html

Links:
Maysam Ghovanloo
http://users.ece.gatech.edu/~mghovan/

"Tongue Mouse" Can Control a Wheelchair or Computer
http://www.sciencentral.com/video/2008/10/03/tongue-joystick/

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Powered Wheelchair Operated by Tongue Drive System
From: Physical Therapy Products - SOAP Notes - 07/15/2009

An assistive technology that enables individuals to maneuver a powered
wheelchair or control a mouse cursor using simple tongue movements can be
operated by individuals with high-level spinal cord injuries.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ptproductsonline.com/SOAPNotes/2009-07-15_03.asp